Erfurt Maps

Erfurt is the capital of Thuringia, Germany, with approximately 219,000 inhabitants, making it the state's largest city. Located in the geographical center of Germany, it has served as an important trading hub since medieval times. The city possesses one of Germany's best-preserved medieval old towns, with numerous churches, patrician houses, and intact city fortifications.

The Erfurt Cathedral (Erfurter Dom) and St. Severus Church stand side by side on Cathedral Hill, creating an iconic silhouette dominating the cityscape. The cathedral houses the world's largest free-swinging medieval bell, the Gloriosa, and features impressive stained glass windows. The Krämerbrücke (Merchants' Bridge), built in 1325, is the longest bridge in Europe completely covered with inhabited houses, currently housing shops and galleries.

The Augustinian Monastery was home to Martin Luther when he was a monk from 1505 to 1511, and visitors can see his cell and the rooms where he studied. The Old Synagogue, parts of which date to around 1100, is one of Europe's oldest surviving synagogues and houses the Erfurt Treasure, a collection of medieval Jewish artifacts. The Petersberg Citadel, a baroque fortress, is one of Europe's largest and best-preserved urban fortifications.

The University of Erfurt, originally founded in 1379, was one of Central Europe's earliest universities and where Martin Luther studied. After being closed in 1816, it was re-established in 1994. The city's economy includes microelectronics, horticulture, and seed production, with Erfurt historically known for growing woad, a plant used for blue dye.

The city hosts a renowned Christmas market on Cathedral Square and maintains extensive park areas, including the egapark, one of Germany's largest garden exhibitions. Erfurt's well-preserved medieval architecture, combined with its historical significance in the Protestant Reformation, makes it an important cultural and tourism center.